Finalists revealed for 2017/18 Orkney Food and Drink Awards

September 5th 2018

Finalists for the 2017/2018 Orkney Food and Drink Awards have been revealed this week, with 31 local businesses in the running for a prestigious prize.

Winners of the biennial awards - organised by Orkney Food and Drink and sponsored by NorthLink Ferries and Highland Park – will be announced at a special gala event in Kirkwall Grammar School on 13 October.

A record 8,250 public nominations were received for the awards, which cover everything from the best bar and takeaway meals, to the finest bakery, fish, drink and dairy products. Voters were also able to nominate their favourite café, tearoom, or local food retailer.

Unlike in previous years, the 2017/2018 awards are being judged solely on public votes, though a 13th award category, covering outstanding performance by a local food and drink business, will be decided by the directors of OFD.

Winners from the 2016 Orkney Food and Drink Awards

Edgar Balfour, project manager for Orkney food, drink and crafts, said: “Many congratulations to all the fantastic food and drink businesses who’ve made the finals. They’re all great ambassadors for Orkney and should be very proud indeed, regardless of who the eventual winners are on the night.

“Each of the award categories received around 600 public nominations, which is an incredible response,” he added. “We’d very much like to thank the local community for their support, and all the visitors to Orkney who also voted for their favourite businesses. The record response we’ve had demonstrates the passion that exists for Orkney’s diverse food and drink sector, where a determination to deliver consistent quality underpins everything.”

Seumas Campbell, Serco’s customer service director at NorthLink Ferries, commented: “We are very pleased to once again sponsor the Orkney Food and Drink Awards.

“The awards celebrate the very best of Orkney’s talented food and drink industry and it’s great to see such a fantastic range of local businesses make the final stage, including many of our own suppliers. We wish all entrants the very best of luck in the final.”

Category winners will each receive a special Orkney Food and Drink Awards trophy.

Finalists are listed below, in no particular order.

Best A-la-Carte Meal

Merkister Hotel

Foveran Restaurant

Kirkwall Hotel

Best Bar Meal

Kirkwall Hotel

Merkister Hotel

St Ola Hotel

Best Café or Tearoom

Birsay Bay Tearoom

Archive Coffee

The Tearoom

Best Takeaway Meal

Gerri’s Ice Cream Parlour

The Snak Pot

Leigh's

Best Local Food Retailer

William Shearer

The Brig Larder

E Flett Butchers

Best Kids Meal

NorthLink Ferries

Leigh’s

Archive Coffee

Best Meat-Based Product

Orkney Buffalo – Orkney Buffalo Burgers

Williamsons – Steak Pie

Craigie Butchers Ltd – Highland Chicken

Best Fish-Based Product

Jolly’s of Orkney – Kirkjuvagr Gin & Orange Smoked Salmon

Westray Processors Ltd – Handpicked White Meat & Cocktail Claws

Pierowall Fish Ltd – Scapa Whisky Smoked Salmon

Best Dairy-Based Product

Orkney Cheese – Orkney Butter

Orkney Creamery – Lemon Curd Ice Cream

Wilsons of Westray – Westray Wife Washed-Rind Cheese

Best Bakery-Based Product

Rendall’s Bakery – Rendall’s Butteries

Westray Bakehouse – Westray Rolls

Peedie Kirkwall Cakes – Peedie Kirkwall Cake

Best Drink-Based Product

Deerness Distillery – Seaglass Gin

Orkney Distilling Ltd – Kirkjuvagr Gin

Orkney Gin Company – Johnsmas Gin

Best Peedie Product

Orkney Isles Preserves – Chilli Jam

Peedie Kirkwall Cakes – Peedie Kirkwall Cake

Peedie Chocs & Desserts – Smoked Sea Salt & Caramel Fudge

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